Marine Patrol warns of possible charges

Saturday

Jun 7, 2014 at 8:34 AMJun 7, 2014 at 8:34 AM

By Don Reiddwreid@aol.comKINDERHOOK TOWNSHIP — Boaters who remove buoys from Branch County lakes can be charged with a misdemeanor offense, Branch County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Rick Holtgrave, head of the sheriff’s marine patrol, warns.The sergeant is asking those who see anyone taking the warning markers from the lakes to call 911.Holtgrave's warning came after he had to replace a buoy at the south end of Long Lake last week.As it was hooked to a chain and anchored to a number of large concrete blocks, Holtgrave is sure the buoy had to be removed and could not have floated away. A search of the lake did not turn up the missing buoy, which bore a"no wake" warning for boaters entering the channel to Coldwater Lake to the south."We can still ticket boaters who don’t slow down even without the buoy," Holtgrave explained.The law requires boaters slow when they are within 100 feet of a bank or stopped vessels; it is designed for safety and to prevent damage to sea walls, shore and boats tied up alongside the channels.Boats traveling too fast in channels are a frequent complaint lodged with Holtgrave's department during the summer season.Other issues he and the Department of Natural Resources are taking a closer look at include placing of buoys in water without a permit. All buoys not placed by law enforcement must be approved by DNR.DNR has a new officer assigned to Branch County who has checked the south chain of lakes and will see if all buoys he has found have the proper permits. A violation can be cited as a misdemeanor.Not only can’t a private citizen place or remove a buoy — it is also illegal to moor to a buoy unless it is a permitted mooring buoy.Marine Patrol officers are giving out handbooks on state laws and regulations during stops on the lakes this year. Additionally, the patrol is offering and conducting boater education classes.

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